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PCB agrees to host major tournaments in UAE following assurances by Emirates Cricket Board
The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) will continue to 'host' major tournaments in the United Arab Emirates, read a statement issued by the Emirates Cricket Board (ECB) following a meeting with PCB officials on Tuesday.
During the meeting, it was also agreed that the ECB will significantly reduce the costs of holding these tournaments for PCB with immediate effect.
Besides, the ECB will also host a T20 and T10 League from December 10, 2018, to January 10, 2019, when there are no PCB fixtures in the UAE, read the statement.
It was also agreed that the ECB will not host any league during the time when the PCB fixtures are being played in the UAE.
The issue had surfaced following the announcement of Afghanistan cricket league, which was scheduled to be held in the month of October this year in Sharjah.
Also during October, as Pakistan were scheduled to host Australia for a full series in Dubai and Abu Dhabi, the PCB had feared that Afghan league matches being staged in the same month would have hit the latter’s commercial interests.
Dawn had earlier reported that while the PCB is not against the holding of the Afghan Premier League T20 event in the UAE, it is only concerned that the dates of the said league are clashing with its home series, which Pakistan has been organising in the UAE since 2010 due to security-related issues in the aftermath of the terror attack on Sri Lankan cricket team at Lahore in March 2009.
Comments (22) Closed
Another win for Pakistan. Shows our growing stature in the world.
Since the Emirates Cricket Board has now come up to the expectations and requirements of PCB, there is no need to look for an alternative venue for PCB to hold their "home series."
PCB was always saying that they want to hold matches in Pakistan and these comments. Major tournament for PCB is PSL which means it also won’t be played in Pakistan.
Dont you think its too much cricket in UAE ?
Stadium will be empty in this case. I think PCB has optional places like Sri Lanka. Malaysia or I am sure they have other better places too.
Great news for pcb.Infact pcb will continue to be allowed in UAE to host tournament. Just we need good relations with neighbours and more importantly with India.
Fair enough.. with improving security in Pakistan every day, the time isn’t far when we should be to host at least 50% games in Pakistan. I am looking forward to new under construction stadium in Karachi by Behria. Holding matches in such heigh security measures is bigger issue.
Pakistanis must be given on arrival visa in UAE too if we are to make UAE as our home ground.
@Reham khan why would you call that a win...pls read the Gulf times, PCB is paying ~15% more than they paid earlier...stop fooling yourself
Good an agreement has been reached. These are after all home grounds for Pakistan.
@Baloch Your comment regarding relations with India relating to PCB hosting cricket in UAE does not make sense. Relationship with India cannot change unless the Indian government is willing to talk to pakistan. Unfortunately, this has impacted the cricket played between the two nations.
@Dr. Salaria, Aamir Ahmad Agreed and I am glad that sanity prevailed. ECB was under pressure from Indian lobby to not entertain Pakistan but it looks like there is some respect left for Pakistan in UAE...
@Reham khan I'd like to believe that. But then again, Growing stature implies top teams lining up to play in your own backyard. Congratulations on the UAE hustle though. A Pleasent surprise.
@Baloch Good realations with Pakistan is also what we need. But our people wants is different game altogether.
so this is confirmation our board don't think homeland is safe for cricket !
Spineless
@Dr. Salaria, Aamir Ahmad
agreed , the audiences on weekdays can literally be counted individually , but weekends 15000 plus , amazing.
@Reham khan Not really. Simple cricketing logic. Afghanistan talent or tournament offers no value compared to Pakistan. And big teams like Australia and England won’t tour UAE, if Pakistan moves it’s base.
Afghan league should be held in India or Iran.
It is regrettable that we couldn't host cricket at our land. It is our bad luck that we are always led by those unwanted men (in every sphere of life) who thinks about themselves only.
@Reham khan : I just hope that was sarcasm
It's 2018... still pakistan depends on other country to host it's tournaments!
Holding matches in UAE is not as profitable as its in Pakistan. Even the stadium in Peshawar could generate more crowd of so called UAE stadiums. Its time Pakistan plays its matches in Pakistan, otherwise its the negative signal send to the whole world.
@Safdar
Where do you hear these stories?????